The report has also been criticised by fish health experts who say the industry should be applauded for its efforts in encouraging farming as an alternative method of supplying fish in these days of diminishing wild stocks.

Published by animal welfare organisations Compassion in World Farming (CIWF) and the World Society for the Protection of Animals(WSPA), 'Closed Waters' claims intensively farmed fish are often more susceptible to disease and are kept in cramped conditions which inhibit natural behaviours.

The report is due to be published on Monday, in the same week that the international seafood industry will converge on Edinburgh to attend the UK’s leading aquaculture conference, Aquaculture Today 2007.

Commenting, author and CIWF’s Chief Policy Advisor Peter Stevenson says: “It’s only a matter of time before more fish are farmed than caught at sea. This is a recipe for environmental disaster. Fish farms have been heralded as the viable alternative to manage our depleting seas yet in fact threaten wild populations and sustainability. Farmed carnivorous species need fish in their diet. It takes 2-3 tonnes of wild fish to produce one tonne of farmed fish.

“World aquaculture has developed into a huge, rapidly expanding industry focused on maximising output and profit. The economic benefits of increasing production outweigh the economic losses of malformations and other diseases. In this climate, the fate of individual fish is of little concern.”

CIWF and WSPA say that they recognise that in Britain some progress in tackling welfare problems has been made. However, they claim that, both in Britain and elsewhere, the serious welfare concerns involved in intensive fish farming need to be addressed urgently to prevent further widespread suffering.

Commenting on the report, John Webster, Technical Director of Scottish Salmon Producers' Organisation, said: “The CIWF appears to be deliberately ignoring the advances made within the Scottish industry in an attempt to mislead the general public about the welfare of farmed fish.

“There has been a vast amount of research and development on fish health and welfare issues over the past 20 years. In Scotland, this includes work funded by the industry, SEERAD, Fisheries Research Services, DEFRA, academic institutions, pharmaceutical companies, the European Commission and others.

“The industry also works proactively with many constructive and cooperative welfare groups to improve the health and welfare of farmed fish which gives rise to ongoing benefits for all concerned, such as RSPCA Freedom Foods and SSPCA.

“Yet much of what Compassion in World Farming (CIWF) and the World Society for the Protection of Animals (WSPA) have to say is often deliberately sensational and misleading,” he added.

Andrew Grant, an independent veterinary consultant to the aquaculture industry, said: “The welfare of farmed fish was identified as a priority for action in the Strategic Framework for Scottish Aquaculture.

"A welfare sub-group of the Aquaculture Joint Health Working Group was set up to inform welfare and husbandry practices in the Code of Good Practice for Finfish Aquaculture (CoGP), which was published in 2003.

“The welfare sub-group was made up of stakeholder interests covering animal welfare, industry, scientists, veterinarians and government. The sub-group drew on recommendations of the farmed animal welfare council (FAWC) report 1996. In addition the CoGP adopts the well recognised welfare principles quoted by the Farm Animal Welfare Council.

“Compliance with the Code is independently audited. All compliant farms have access to veterinary services and are required to have a veterinary health plan.

“This latest report revisits many old issues, all of which are referred to in the CoGP, and which have been subjective to investigation and remedial action where appropriate.

“The industry always seeks to continually improve standards of fish health and welfare by careful research and effective action. There has been many examples of fruitful cooperation with reputable and responsible animal welfare organisations," he concluded.

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